Authorities in Santa Fe revise timeframe on Gene Hackman's final days along with his spouse's
In a surprising twist, fresh details about the demise of Hollywood icon Gene Hackman and his devoted wife Betsy Arakawa have emerged, altering the narrative of their last days.
Awed by their union since 1991, the power couple met an untimely end at their abode in February. Initially, speculations swirled regarding their passing, but New Mexico medical investigators recently declared the cause of their deaths.
Contrary to initial beliefs, Betsy and Gene's demises occurred at least a week apart owing to different health complications. Authorities initially used Betsy's activity to loosely estimate her final communication, with February 11 marking her last known contact. However,Cellphone data paints a different picture. It pointed to her using her cellphone on February 12, the very day they assumed she was inactive.
"We can now verify that Mrs. Hackman's phone was active on the morning of February 12, making calls to Cloudberry Health, a local medical center in Santa Fe," the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office disclosed in a statement.
Betsy, aged 65, succumbed to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, an elusive disease that poses a threat to humans through exposure to infected rodents. Law enforcement officials discovered her lifeless body on the tile floor of a bathroom within their home.
In stark contrast, the venerated Oscar-winning actor, at 95, likely breathed his last on February 18. His pacemaker provided the last record of his heartbeat. Gene's cause of death couched complications related to cardiovascular disease, and his deteriorating Alzheimer's disease was cited as a significant factor, the authorities shared.
The couple's dogs, Zinna, Nikita, and Bear, were a vital part of their family. However, fate told a grim tale. Their beloved Australian Kelpie mix, Zinna, was discovered lifeless in a kennel near Betsy's remains. Fortunately, the other dogs found solace in new homes, with representatives affirming their well-being and adaptability.
In response to inquiries revolving around the dogs, family and authorities worked diligently to ensure the two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, landed in caring hands. The news arrived that both canines were securely placed in nurturing environments, acclimating comfortably to their new homes.
A public statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Facebook informed the public that the couple's German Shepherd and Akita-Shepherd mix were found roaming the Hackman property whilst their front and back doors remained ajar. Animal Control Division of Santa Fe County supported the family, ensuring the dogs' safety during these challenging times.
CNN's Jennifer Sherwood provided contributions to this report.
Enrichment Data:
- Betsy Arakawa's Last Known Activity: Initially, Betsy's last known activity was believed to be on February 11, when she was seen on surveillance video at local stores. However, new cell phone data revealed that she made three calls to Cloudberry Health, a medical center in Santa Fe, on the morning of February 12. There was also a missed incoming call from the same medical center that afternoon[1][4][5].
- Cause of Death: Betsy died from Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through contact with infected rodents. Her body was found in a bathroom at their home[1][2][4].
- Gene Hackman's Death: Gene Hackman likely died several days after Betsy, around February 18, when his pacemaker last recorded his heartbeat. He died from hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributing factor[1][2][5].
- Dogs' Situation: The couple had three dogs; one, Zinna, was found dead in a kennel near Betsy's body. The other two dogs, Bear and Nikita, were adopted into new homes[1].
- Betsy Arakawa's cellphone data, unfortunately, painted a different picture compared to initial assumptions, revealing that she was using her phone on the morning of February 12, the day authorities assumed she was inactive.
- Contrary to Gene Hackman, Betsy succumbed to Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, whereas Gene's cause of death was related to hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease being a significant contributing factor.
- In an unexpected finding, Zinna, one of the couple's dogs, was discovered lifeless in a kennel near Betsy's remains, while the other two dogs, Bear and Nikita, fortunately, found new homes, adapting well to their new environments.
